Authorities in Cyprus have launched an urgent investigation following the disappearance of a substantial quantity of highly potent explosive material from a military firing range. Approximately 13.6 kilograms of TNT has vanished from the Kalo Chorio site, prompting a joint effort by the Cyprus Police, the National Guard, and the Defence Ministry. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance are currently under meticulous scrutiny.
The alarming incident occurred on Thursday, with drone footage initially confirming the presence of the TNT around 2:00 PM. However, by 3:00 PM, the material was inexplicably no longer accounted for. Its absence was formally reported on Friday, immediately raising significant concerns due to the inherent dangers associated with unsecured explosives. Consequently, a scheduled controlled detonation at the location was promptly cancelled.
Multiple lines of inquiry are being actively pursued by investigators. Police spokesman Christodoulos Konsolos stated that individuals involved in firing exercises at the range, as well as those with any expertise in handling explosives, are being summoned for questioning. Simultaneously, the Defence Ministry is conducting its own internal interrogations, underscoring the seriousness of this security breach.
This unsettling event has inevitably drawn comparisons to a similar, though larger, explosives theft that transpired in 2012. In that prior incident, a considerable cache of explosives was pilfered from National Guard stockpiles, some of which had reportedly been transported from military warehouses. The previous case had led to the destruction of artillery shells, which had generated significant security concerns at the time. Investigators are now revisiting that incident to identify any recurring security vulnerabilities within the armed forces.
The potential ramifications of the missing TNT are considerable and have prompted a stern advisory from the Defence Ministry to factory operators across the island. They have been urged to implement enhanced safety protocols and to exercise extreme vigilance, particularly if the missing explosives materialise within their facilities. The Ministry has unequivocally stated that the unsecured detonation of such a quantity of TNT "poses great risk to human lives," a sentiment that has amplified public apprehension. The disappearance highlights critical questions regarding the security of ammunition and explosive materials within the National Guard's inventory, as the volatile material must be recovered before it can cause an unintended catastrophe.